Travel Information

The most likely times for international students to travel, either inside or outside the U.S., are

Semester Break

Intersession - the period between the end of the Fall semester and the start of the Spring semester, usually several weeks long;

March spring break week, usually around the middle of March

Summer Vacation, which begins at the end of the spring semester:

For information on the dates for breaks and intersession, please view the Academic Calendar.

To make sure your immigration documents are valid for travel and that your travel and return go smoothly, please read below; also view the information to the right.

Please give the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC) at least two weeks' notice when asking for help with travel/immigration documents, except in emergencies.

Only three officials on campus are authorized to sign your I-20 or DS-2019, and one must be available to give you a signature. Please e-mail Pat Mooney at pmooney@umassd.edu or the ISSC at INTL_Office@umassd.edu. Contact us immediately if you have an emergency situation requiring you to leave the U.S. temporarily.

If you need to renew your entry visa, additional time will be required, since agencies outside the University will be involved. Please see the ISSC staff for assistance. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RE-ENTER THE U.S. IN TOURIST STATUS.

If you have changed your visa status, you will need a new entry visa in the new status.

What do I need when traveling inside the U.S. and returning?

When traveling locally--Dartmouth, Fall River, New Bedford--take copies of your documents with you. See the Additional Important Travel Information link to the right for other tips about copying your documents. Outside of the local area, you should carry a valid passport and a current, original I-20 signed for travel. Please check with the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC) if you are not sure about the status of your documents.

For students in Optional Practical Training (F-1) or Academic Training (J-1) does your form have the correct end date of your training period?

For F-1 students on Post-completion Optional Practical Training, current Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) and proof of employment; OPT students awaiting approval of a STEM extension are not permitted to travel outside the U.S. Please consult the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC) if you have special circumstances.

Approved Application/Authorization Form for J-1 students on Academic Training

Canada is a reasonable three-day weekend trip, either by plane or by car

Special Information about Canada

Citizens of some countries need visas to enter Canada, in addition to all your other paperwork for entering and studying in the U.S. http://www.cic.gc.ca/

Even if you have an expired entry visa, you may still travel to Canada, Mexico, and the adjacent islands and return to the U.S. by using Automatic Revalidation, as long as the rest of your documentation is current and your visit to those places is not longer than 30 days. Visit the Traveling To Canada links on the right.

IMPORTANT – If you are planning to use Automatic Revalidation, please visit the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC) so we can review your paperwork before you travel.